Basic 8 · Ghanaian Language · Concrete Nouns

Concrete Nouns, Semi-Formal Letters and Idioms

In this topic you will identify and use concrete nouns in speech and writing, write semi-formal letters in your Ghanaian language, and discuss the features and meanings of idioms.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

Identify and use concrete nouns correctly
Write a semi-formal letter using the correct format and tone
Explain the features and meanings of idioms

What you already know

Abstract nouns, letters and proverbs

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Lesson 1

Strand: Language & Usage
Sub-strand: Concrete Nouns
Indicator: B8.4.2.1.1 – Explore the use of nouns and pronouns in an increasing range of texts and classify them

Introduction

Concrete nouns name the things we can see, touch, hear, smell or taste. They make speech and writing clear and real.

1. What Are Concrete Nouns?

Concrete noun: A noun that names something that can be perceived by the senses.

Concrete nouns in Twi

Group	Twi	English
people	ɔbaa, ɔbarima, abɔfra	woman, man, child
animals	akokɔ, aponkye, nantwie	fowl, goat, cow
plants	dua, bayerɛ, kwadu	tree, yam, banana
objects	akonnwa, nwoma, kuruwa	chair, book, cup
natural things	nsuo, ɛboɔ, ogya	water, stone, fire

2. Singular and Plural

In many Ghanaian languages, plurals are formed with prefixes or other changes, not with -s as in English. In Twi, "abɔfra" (child) becomes "mmɔfra" (children), "akokɔ" (fowl) becomes "nkokɔ" (fowls) and "dua" (tree) becomes "nnua" (trees). Learn the plural with each new noun, and note the pattern used.

Goats and fowls in a Ghanaian compound

Figure 1: Animals in the compound Label five objects in a picture of your home using your Ghanaian language.

3. Using Concrete Nouns in Description

Concrete nouns make descriptions vivid. Instead of saying "ɔwɔ nneɛma bebree" (he has many things), name them: "ɔwɔ nkokɔ ne nnwan" (he has fowls and sheep). Readers can picture the second sentence clearly. Choose exact nouns whenever you can.

4. Nouns in Sentences

Sentences with concrete nouns

Twi	English
Abɔfra no redi bayerɛ.	The child is eating yam.
Akokɔ no ato kesua.	The fowl has laid an egg.
Mmɔfra no nom nsuo.	The children drink water.

5. Naming Things around Us

Many learners know the English words for objects at home but not the words in their Ghanaian language. Try to name everything around you: cooking tools, farm tools, parts of the body and plants. Ask elders for words you do not know. Some older tools and plants have names that young people are forgetting, and learning them helps to keep the language alive.

New words

concrete noun: A noun for something perceived by the senses.
singular: One person or thing.
plural: More than one.
exact noun: A noun that names something precisely.

Summary

Concrete nouns name things perceived by the senses.
Plurals in Ghanaian languages often use prefixes, as in abɔfra and mmɔfra.
Exact concrete nouns make speech and writing vivid.

Class activity: Noun Labels

Label objects in the classroom in your Ghanaian language.
Give the singular and plural of each.
Use five of them in sentences.

You need: Locally made puppets, Printed pronoun cards, Chalkboard, Chalk

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. "Akokɔ" means…
- A. fowl
- B. goat
- C. cow
- D. fish
Show answer
Answer: fowlTwi.
2. The plural of "abɔfra" is…
- A. mmɔfra
- B. abɔfras
- C. abɔfraa
- D. nnɔfra
Show answer
Answer: mmɔfraTwi plural.
3. Concrete nouns can be perceived by the senses.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueDefinition.
4. One person or thing is ______.
Show answer
Answer: singularOne.
5. Give the plural of two nouns in your language.
Show answer
Answer: e.g. Twi: dua, nnua; akokɔ, nkokɔ.Any correct.
6. Why do exact concrete nouns improve writing?
Show answer
Answer: They help readers to picture exactly what is meant instead of something vague.Vividness.

Lesson 2

Strand: Composition Writing
Sub-strand: Letter Writing
Indicator: B8.5.1.1.1 – Develop coherent essays using the features of given text types

Introduction

You are writing to your uncle to ask for help with school fees. He is family, but he deserves respect. This calls for a semi-formal letter.

1. Who Receives a Semi-Formal Letter?

A semi-formal letter is written to an adult you know but must treat with respect, such as an uncle, a teacher, a pastor, an imam or a family friend. The tone is warm but polite. The language should be respectful, with no slang, and the letter should follow a clear layout.

2. Layout

Parts of a semi-formal letter

Part	Example (English meaning)
writer's address and date	top right
salutation	Dear Uncle Kwame / Dear Mr Asante
opening	greetings and enquiries about health and family
purpose	the reason for writing
body	details in paragraphs
closing	thanks and good wishes
subscription	Your nephew, Yours sincerely
name	full name or first name

3. Model Letter (translated into English)

"Dear Uncle Kwame, I greet you warmly. How are you and Auntie Ama? We are all well, by God's grace.

I am writing to tell you about my progress and to ask for your help. I am now in JHS 2 and came third in my class last term. I need a Mathematics textbook and a geometry set, which cost about GH₵150, but Father has not been well, and money is short.

I would be very grateful if you could help me. I promise to work hard and make the family proud. Please greet Auntie Ama for me. Your nephew, Kofi Mensah."

A student writing a letter at a table at home

Figure 2: Writing to a relative Write the opening paragraph of a letter to a respected adult.

4. Tone and Politeness

Show respect by greeting properly, using titles, thanking the reader and asking rather than demanding. Use polite phrases such as "mesrɛ wo" (please) in Twi. A good letter also gives reasons, so that the reader understands your request.

New words

semi-formal letter: A respectful letter to an adult you know.
request: A polite act of asking for something.
tone: The attitude shown in writing.
nephew: The son of one's brother or sister.

Summary

Semi-formal letters are written to adults you know and respect.
They have an address, salutation, opening, purpose, body, closing and subscription.
Politeness, reasons and thanks make requests effective.

Class activity: Semi-Formal Letter

Write a semi-formal letter in your Ghanaian language to a teacher or relative.
Include a greeting, a clear purpose and a polite closing.
Exchange and check with a partner.

You need: Printed Ghanaian-language model text, Exercise books, Pencils

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. A letter to your uncle asking for help is usually…
- A. semi-formal
- B. an email to a stranger
- C. a poem
- D. a report
Show answer
Answer: semi-formalRespectful.
2. Which ending suits a semi-formal letter?
- A. Your nephew
- B. Bye bye
- C. Yours faithfully, the Manager
- D. See ya
Show answer
Answer: Your nephewFamily and respect.
3. A semi-formal letter should avoid slang.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueRespect.
4. A polite act of asking for something is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: requestAsking.
5. Name four parts of a semi-formal letter.
Show answer
Answer: Address, salutation, body, subscription (or date, opening, closing).Any four.
6. Why should a request letter give reasons?
Show answer
Answer: So the reader understands the need and is more willing to help.Persuasion.

Lesson 3

Strand: Literature
Sub-strand: Literature
Indicator: B8.6.1.1.1 – Discuss the features of proverbs and idioms

Introduction

If someone says a person's "stomach is good" in Twi, they are not talking about digestion. They mean the person is kind. Such expressions are idioms.

1. What Is an Idiom?

Idiom: An expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words.

Idioms are fixed expressions. Every language has them, and they make speech colourful. They must be learned as whole units, because translating the words one by one gives the wrong meaning.

2. Twi Idioms

Some Twi idioms

Idiom	Literal meaning	True meaning
Ne yam yɛ.	His or her stomach is good.	He or she is kind.
Ne bo afu.	His or her chest has grown.	He or she is angry.
N'aso yɛ den.	His or her ears are hard.	He or she is stubborn.
Ne ho yɛ hare.	His or her body is light.	He or she is quick and active.

3. Proverbs and Idioms Compared

Proverbs and idioms

Feature	Proverb	Idiom
form	a complete wise saying	a phrase or short expression
purpose	teaches a lesson	adds colour to speech
meaning	a general truth	a fixed special meaning

Two friends laughing together as they talk

Figure 3: Conversation Collect five idioms from your community and explain them.

4. Using Idioms Correctly

Use idioms where they suit the situation. Many are informal and more suitable for conversation than for formal letters. Learners should listen to how elders use them. When you meet an unfamiliar expression, ask what it means instead of guessing from the separate words.

New words

idiom: An expression with a special meaning.
literal: Exact, word for word.
fixed expression: A phrase whose words cannot be changed.
colourful: Lively and interesting.

Summary

Idioms have meanings different from the meanings of their words.
Proverbs teach lessons, while idioms add colour to speech.
Learn idioms as whole units and use them suitably.

Class activity: Idiom Drama

Choose three idioms from your language.
Act out short scenes that show their meanings.
Other groups guess each idiom.

You need: Printed proverb, Idiom cards, Printed pictures of familiar Ghanaian objects, Calabash

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. "Ne yam yɛ" means a person is…
- A. kind
- B. hungry
- C. sick
- D. tall
Show answer
Answer: kindTwi idiom.
2. "Ne bo afu" means a person is…
- A. angry
- B. happy
- C. fat
- D. asleep
Show answer
Answer: angryTwi idiom.
3. Idioms should be translated word for word.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseLearn as units.
4. An expression with a special meaning is an ______.
Show answer
Answer: idiomFixed phrase.
5. State one difference between a proverb and an idiom.
Show answer
Answer: A proverb is a complete saying teaching a lesson; an idiom is a short expression with a special meaning.Difference.
6. Why might idioms be less suitable in formal letters?
Show answer
Answer: Many are informal and may confuse readers who do not know them.Register.

Homework

List ten concrete nouns with their plurals in your language.
Write a semi-formal letter to a respected adult.